I follow the slow pedagogy approach to support children’s natural rhythm and flow during the day. Repetition with regular routines are important for children’s sense of security, wellbeing, learning and development. Children thrive on regular and slow mindful rhythms and rituals of the day, close attachments with primary caregivers, free-flow play, creative playful learning activities, movement, good nutrition, rest and sleep.

• 8am – Children welcomed into the setting ready for the day. 
• 8am-11am – Free flow play and playful learning experiences including nature-led activities. Children free-flow play in the morning, independently selecting toys and resources from the shelves. A range of adult-led learning activities are provided both indoors and outdoors in the garden or local park. As part of our sustainability climate change action plan we walk to local places rather than driving, for example we often walk to the park, local meadow to visit the farm animals, the library, art gallery, market or museum. It is important for children’s health and physical development as well as reducing our carbon footprint that we walk to local places rather than drive. We tend to walk to the local park on a regular basis, this is so that children can learn about their natural environment and local community. We visit the same maple and willow tree in the park, this supports children to develop a deeper knowledge of nature and the changing seasons and also to develop deeper interconnections with nature. Learning activities are planned on a regular basis to ensure they are meeting the individual needs and interests of each child as according to the EYFS. These include storytelling, art & craft activities, music and nursery rhyme sessions and nature based activities. Montessori activities include practical life, sensorial, mathematical, literacy, creativity and knowledge and understanding of the world. 
• 11am – 12pm – Lunch-time – parents to provide a healthy packed lunch. It is important meals are healthy and nutritious. Snacks are provided at set times in the morning and afternoon to ensure at least a 2 hour gap between snack-time and meal-times. Snacks provided are healthy e.g. fruit, wholemeal toast, cheese, vegetable sticks and hummus or cream cheese. Children are offered either water or milk to drink. Children often prepare their own snacks. We sit around the table together to chat , read a story and listen to relaxing music. We also like to look out of the window and watch the wildlife in the garden. Children are carefully supervised during meal and snack times. 
• 12pm – Nap-time. Children nap on mats on the floor in the living room with a blanket and the fairy lights turned on. Nap-time is encouraged and supported as very important for healthy early childhood development. Older children who don’t nap have quiet time playing with toys.
• After nap-time – Free flow play and Montessori-based learning experiences.
• 4pm-5pm – Tidy up time and getting ready for home. 

Parents/carers provide healthy cold packed lunches. Healthy snacks and milk and water to drink are provided both in the morning and afternoon with no additional charge. 

Indoor learning activities 

Outdoor learning activities